Washington, DC — Today is the official start of the “Keeping Families Together” program – the Biden Administration policy that offers legal protections – known as “parole in place” – to select spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens as they seek permanent status in the U.S. The policy, announced in June (see AV’s immediate reaction here), is a meaningful and common-sense way to keep more American families together. While only available to a narrow group of long-term immigrants, the launch and its implications draw a sharp contrast with the alternative vision of unsparing mass deportations, including for the families eligible for the new “Keeping Families Together” program, such as undocumented spouses or children of U.S. citizens.
The following is a statement from America’s Voice Executive Director Vanessa Cárdenas:
“The launch of the ‘Keeping Families Together’ program is an example of what is possible when our elected leaders decide to act and implement common sense solutions that benefit our communities. Today, thousands of American families can hopefully breathe a sigh of relief and feel more secure in their futures in this nation and be able to work free from the fear of deportation while their residency applications are being processed.
It’s also not lost that the official launch of this program comes as Americans will soon face a decision on two starkly different visions for the nation, including on immigration. One vision seeks to ensure the success of this program and other measures to create legal pathways and paths to citizenship for the undocumented, including Dreamers.
The other is a proposal for the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, including long-settled members of American families. This dark and destabilizing vision would rip apart the American economy and communities while separating children and spouses from their families.
The stakes are clear: recognizing that immigrants are vital to the American economy and society and that we should keep American families together versus separating families with a massively destabilizing deportation agenda.”
